Taurine as a Protective Metabolite in Radiation-Induced Liver Disease: Evidence from 1H NMR Metabolomics

Abstract

Radiation therapy for liver and upper abdominal malignancies is associated with a high risk of radiation-induced liver disease (RILD), often involving metabolic disturbances. This study aimed to characterize metabolomic alterations in a murine RILD model using ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. RILD was induced in mice via 15 Gy hepatic irradiation. Liver tissues were subjected to time-course metabolomic profiling using ¹H NMR. Validation was performed through liver enzyme assays, histological analysis, and qPCR. Taurine was selected for therapeutic evaluation based on metabolomic findings. Significant reductions in glutathione and pyruvate levels were observed in the acute stage, whereas increases in phenylalanine and tyrosine levels were observed in the chronic stage. These metabolite alterations were correlated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, glycolysis modulation, and fibrosis progression in RILD. Notably, taurine levels increased during the acute stage but decreased during the chronic stage. Furthermore, in mice at 12 weeks postirradiation, taurine supplementation maintained liver enzyme activity, cytokine profiles, and taurine metabolism at levels similar to those of the control group. In conclusion, this study revealed dynamic metabolic changes associated with physiological alterations in a murine RILD model and identified, through ¹H NMR metabolomics, taurine as a potential target for alleviating nonclassical RILD symptoms.